Great Online Learning Resources
Some feedback I received on my last (and first) Medium article was that it could be useful to provide places to go online to seek out high quality, affordable (often times free) learning options.
In today’s day and age, there really is no excuse to not be able to learn something to at least an advanced novice level of knowledge. Given the current degree containment and self-isolation due to COVID-19 we have more time than ever to learn something new from the comfort of our own homes!
From classes taught through dedicated learning websites, to material on the entertainment side of the spectrum, there really is truly something for everyone online. Here are some of my favorites:
- Podcasts
Podcasts are fantastic ways to consume learning materials while doing otherwise menial or “brainless” activities. Personally, I enjoy listening to podcasts while I run/cook or do anything where I can evenly split my concentration between listening and paying attention to the other task at hand. The choices available are endless, from news to technology to podcasts dedicated to the pursuit of learning something new each day, there is truly something for everyone available. I will list some of my favorites at the end of the article.
A word of caution though, it is quite easy to fall into an “always on” way of life, and while being able to learn new things while multi-tasking is nice, it is also important to devote parts of your day to unplugging and giving your brain an opportunity to recharge.
2. Youtube
While oftentimes thought of (and many times rightly so) as the lowest common denominator of entertainment, if you can get past a lot of the garbage content on Youtube, you will find channels that exist specifically for teaching new skills or learning new things. A fun anecdote here is that I was recently given an Uber ride by a man who had replaced the entire engine in his car simply by watching how-to videos on Youtube. The benefit of Youtube videos is you have the ability to see demonstrations and step-by-step how to accomplish something new, or see things you wouldn’t normally get to see, like what an iPhone looks like being shredded in a blender!
3.Udemy.com
Udemy is a great paid website for curated courses that span a wide variety of content. From computer programming, to photography to everything in between you would be hard pressed not to find a course for something you are interested in. A quick note on their pricing…many of the courses are regularly priced at $100+, but they often have sales, and I haven’t paid more than $20 for a course, most of them usually much more expensive, so if you see something you like, just give it a few days and it will probably be cheaper.
4. EDX.org
EDX is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) provider. What this means is you can get quality courses and learning content from professors at schools such as Harvard and MIT. This is a great way to incorporate a bit more professionalism and structure into your learning. I learned data science techniques in R using a course from Harvard and also have taken several business focused courses. This is a great option if you need a bit more structure and accountability in your learning, as you have to follow the courses’ schedules.
5. Your Local Library
I saved the classic option for last. Yes, libraries still exist. You may be saying: “Wait a second, you said online learning resources”. With most of the world shutdown and practicing social distancing, you may think this option is not currently relevant, however most public library systems have a massive online presence, with free options for download e/audio books, ability to query multiple different databases of things like encyclopedias, learning courses similar to the previous options I’ve listed, as well as get live help from your local librarians who are still available to help you digitally find what you need (don’t forget Library Science is still a very real and respectable discipline in its own right!).
As promised here are some podcasts I am currently listened to: (This Week in Tech, Hardcore History, Masters of Scale, Stuff You Should Know, 99% Invisible).